Jennifer Colavito
Presenter
Jennifer Colavito Biography:
Ms. Colavito is technical lead for ceiling and visibility (C&V) research in the FAA, Aviation Weather Division. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She has worked as an engineer and project manager for the FAA since January 2009. From 2009 – 2012 she led convective weather research and product development; from 2012 – 2015 she supported the Weather Integration into Air Traffic Management program; and from 2015 to present she has led C&V research and product development. Prior to joining the FAA, Ms. Colavito worked for the U.S. Army in the process of airworthiness certifications for military helicopters.
Weather Training in the Cockpit - Spring/Summer Focus” presented by FAA Aviation Weather Division staff Gary Pokodner, Randy Bass, Jason Baker and Jennifer Colavito Bios Jennifer Colavito, FAA Ceiling and Visibility Project Lead Ms. Colavito is technical lead for ceiling and visibility (C&V) research in the FAA, Aviation Weather Division. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She has worked as an engineer and project manager for the FAA since January 2009. From 2009 – 2012 she led convective weather research and product development; from 2012 – 2015 she supported the Weather Integration into Air Traffic Management program; and from 2015 to present she led C&V research and product development. Prior to joining the FAA, Jennifer worked for the U.S. Army in the process of airworthiness certifications for military helicopters. JENNIFER COLAVITO, FAA Ceiling and Visibility Project Lead Ms. Colavito is technical lead for ceiling and visibility (C&V) research in the FAA, Aviation Weather Division. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She has worked as an engineer and project manager for the FAA since January 2009. From 2009 – 2012 she led convective weather research and product development; from 2012 – 2015 she supported the Weather Integration into Air Traffic Management program; and from 2015 to present she led C&V research and product development. Prior to joining the FAA, Jennifer worked for the U.S. Army in the process of airworthiness certifications for military helicopters.
Randall Bass
Presenter
Randall Bass, FAA Weather Research Branch Manager Randy manages the Weather Research Branch in the FAA’s Aviation Weather Division. He leads the Aviation Weather Research Program and the Weather Technology in the Cockpit program, overseeing budget and executing transition of successful ventures from research to operations. Before becoming manager, he led the Convective Weather Research Program, directing research and development projects to mitigate effects of thunderstorms on aviation and the National Airspace System. Randy retired from the Air Force in 2008 after 20 years as a weather officer. During his career, he provided weather support to bases throughout the US and to a variety of aircraft. He deployed three times to the Middle East in support of various contingencies and spent almost half his career supporting the Intelligence Community. Mr. Bass earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Meteorology from North Carolina State University (1987) and a Master’s Degree in Meteorology from Texas A&M University (1996). Randall Bass Randy Bass manages the Weather Research Branch in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aviation Weather Division. He leads the Aviation Weather Research Program and the Weather Technology in the Cockpit program, overseeing budget and executing transition of successful ventures from research to operations. Before becoming manager, he led the Convective Weather Research Program, directing research and development projects to mitigate effects of thunderstorms on aviation and the National Airspace System. Randy retired from the Air Force in 2008 after 20 years as a weather officer. During his career, he provided weather support to bases throughout the US and to a variety of aircraft. He deployed three times to the Middle East in support of various contingencies and spent almost half his career supporting the Intelligence Community. Mr. Bass earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Meteorology from North Carolina State University (1987) and a Master’s Degree in Meteorology from Texas A&M University (1996).
RANDALL BASS, FAA Weather Research Branch Manager Randy manages the Weather Research Branch in the FAA’s Aviation Weather Division. He leads the Aviation Weather Research Program and the Weather Technology in the Cockpit program, overseeing budget and executing transition of successful ventures from research to operations. Before becoming manager, he led the Convective Weather Research Program, directing research and development projects to mitigate effects of thunderstorms on aviation and the National Airspace System. Randy retired from the Air Force in 2008 after 20 years as a weather officer. During his career, he provided weather support to bases throughout the US and to a variety of aircraft. He deployed three times to the Middle East in support of various contingencies and spent almost half his career supporting the Intelligence Community.
Mr. Bass earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Meteorology from North Carolina State University (1987) and a Master’s Degree in Meteorology from Texas A&M University (1996).
Gary Pokodner
Presenter
Gary Pokodner Bio Gary Pokodner graduated from Lehigh University as an electrical engineer. He has worked in design, reliability, development, test, and acquisition of avionics. Gary came to the FAA in January 2011 after working for ARINC for 25 years on military avionics acquisition programs. Since coming to the FAA, Gary has been the FAA’s NextGen Weather Technology in the Cockpit (WTIC) Program Manager. In this role, Gary has been managing a portfolio of research projects with the overall objective of identifying and resolving gaps in meteorological (MET) information in Part 91, 135, and 121 cockpits and pilot weather training with the objective of enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Gary Pokodner, FAA Weather Technology in the Cockpit Program Manager Gary graduated from Lehigh University as an electrical engineer. He has worked in design, reliability, development, test, and acquisition of avionics. Gary came to the FAA in January 2011 after working for ARINC for 25 years on military avionics acquisition programs. Since coming to the FAA, Gary has been the FAA’s NextGen Weather Technology in the Cockpit (WTIC) Program Manager. In this role, Gary has been managing a portfolio of research projects with the overall objective of identifying and resolving gaps in meteorological (MET) information in Part 91, 135, and 121 cockpits and pilot weather training with the objective of enhancing operational efficiency and safety. GARY POKODNER, FAA Weather Technology in the Cockpit Program Manager Gary graduated from Lehigh University as an electrical engineer. He has worked in design, reliability, development, test, and acquisition of avionics. Gary came to the FAA in January 2011 after working for ARINC for 25 years on military avionics acquisition programs. Since coming to the FAA, Gary has been the FAA’s NextGen Weather Technology in the Cockpit (WTIC) Program Manager. In this role, Gary has been managing a portfolio of research projects with the overall objective of identifying and resolving gaps in meteorological (MET) information in Part 91, 135, and 121 cockpits and pilot weather training with the objective of enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Jason Baker
Presenter
Jason Baker, FAA Research Meteorologist Jason earned his B.S in Meteorology minoring in Forecasting and Broadcasting from Penn State in 2004. Jason then earned his commission as an Air Force Officer. In this role, he provided meteorological expertise to a forecast team that issued over 2,300 terminal aerodrome forecasts and nearly 1,100 watches, warnings, and advisories for the Southeastern US. In 2007, Jason joined the National Weather Service as an Aviation Meteorologist where he briefed and provided weather products to senior-level air traffic controllers at Memphis Center. Then, In 2011, Jason moved to the program manager position for the Center Weather Service Units nationally. Key accomplishments include modernizing Information Technology infrastructure of 22 field units and implementing short weather video briefings to improve air traffic controllers weather situational awareness. In 2018, Jason joined the FAA’s Aviation Weather Division. His primary duties are managing the FAA’s Convective Weather Research Program, helping establish aviation weather requirements, and working to develop a globally consistent Hazardous Weather Information System.
Jason Baker Bio Jason earned his B.S in Meteorology minoring in Forecasting and Broadcasting from Penn State in 2004. Jason then earned his commission as an Air Force Officer. In this role, he provided meteorological expertise to a forecast team that issued over 2,300 terminal aerodrome forecasts and nearly 1,100 watches, warnings, and advisories for the Southeastern US. In 2007, Jason joined the National Weather Service as an Aviation Meteorologist where he briefed and provided weather products to senior-level air traffic controllers at Memphis Center. Then, In 2011, Jason moved to the program manager position for the Center Weather Service Units nationally. Key accomplishments include modernizing Information Technology infrastructure of 22 field units and implementing short weather video briefings to improve air traffic controllers’ weather situational awareness. In 2018, Jason joined the FAA’s Aviation Weather Division. His primary duties are managing the FAA’s Convective Weather Research Program, helping establish aviation weather requirements, and working to develop a globally consistent Hazardous Weather Information System.
JASON BAKER, FAA Research Meteorologist Jason earned his B.S in Meteorology minoring in Forecasting and Broadcasting from Penn State in 2004. Jason then earned his commission as an Air Force Officer. In this role, he provided meteorological expertise to a forecast team that issued over 2,300 terminal aerodrome forecasts and nearly 1,100 watches, warnings, and advisories for the Southeastern US. In 2007, Jason joined the National Weather Service as an Aviation Meteorologist where he briefed and provided weather products to senior-level air traffic controllers at Memphis Center. Then, In 2011, Jason moved to the program manager position for the Center Weather Service Units nationally. Key accomplishments include modernizing Information Technology infrastructure of 22 field units and implementing short weather video briefings to improve air traffic controllers weather situational awareness.
In 2018, Jason joined the FAA’s Aviation Weather Division. His primary duties are managing the FAA’s Convective Weather Research Program, helping establish aviation weather requirements, and working to develop a globally consistent Hazardous Weather Information Systems.
